LCVYS LOLLY NEWSLETTER November / December 2005 Issue Contents 1. Forum 2. Open Evenings 3. LCVYS Updates 4. Lolly Submissions 5. Resources 6. Meeting Rooms Available 7. BBC Blast 8. Cards for Life 9. Employment Opportunities 10. Channel 4s Big Artist Project 11. Frank 12. Taking a Stand Awards 13. Scout Press Release 14. VCS IT Infrastructure Survey 15. New Music Resource for Young People 16. Young NCB 17. Free Guide to Volunteers and the Law 18. Exit Strategy Tool 19. Crocus Novel Competition 20. VCS Learning Links 21. Conference 22. Free Banking with the Cooperative Bank 23. Better Regulation 24. New Futures, New Funding 25. Charity Commission 26. Local Network Fund for Children and Young People 27. The Shepherd Street Trust 28. Funderfinder 29. B&Q 30. Tesco Charity Trust 31. Big Lottery Fund 32. Russell Commission Small Grants 33. Harvest Trust Holidays 34. SITA Trusts Enhancing Communities Programme 35. Faith Communities Capacity Building Fund 36. Comic Relief 37. The Woodward Charitable Trust LANCASHIRE COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY YOUTH SERVICES FORUM Training, Training, Training - an update on the LPSA 11a Youth Accreditation Target and new Voluntary Youth Sector Occupational Qualifications! Presentations by REACT, Lancashire Young Fire fighters and LACYP on how they have benefited through the programme. An update on plans to spend the remaining pump priming funding to the end of March 2006 and Performance Reward Grant within the Voluntary Youth Service from April 2006 At County Hall on Wednesday 30th November 2005, 7.00 pm for a 7.30 pm start Reserve your free place by contacting the LCVYS office. Tea and coffee will be available LCVYS OPEN EVENING Thursday 15th December 5 pm to 7 pm This open evening is to accommodate members who may be working during office hours. The open evening will give our members a chance to: practise using the resources, utilise the funding desk, and the Funderfinder software, browse the InKindDirect catalogue, get general support and advice or just to find out what we do and how we may support your organisation, contact the LCVYS office for information. LCVYS UPDATES NEW LCVYS CHAIR - Dr TONY ANDREWS Appointed at the September 2005 AGM. I have been actively involved within the voluntary sector for nearly 50 years. Firstly a member and then a uniformed leader with The Scout Association. An on-going theme has been to encourage or facilitate co-operation within the sector; whilst still at school I was actively involved as a member of Potters Bar Youth Council! For many years my role has been to support others; in Leicestershire this was to facilitate co-operation between Scouts and other groups. I was also the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Honorary Award Liaison Officer, again facilitating co-operation between voluntary and statutory sector groups (for mutual benefit). For a decade I held national appointments within The Scout Association - for 5 years chairing the key group advising on the safe implementation of (adventurous) activities for our young people. Additionally, attending Trustees' meetings I learned much from participating in these debates. On retirement from the Royal Air Force I moved to Lancashire to (professionally) support the volunteer staff within the Air Training Corps. I am Deputy Chairman of West Lancashire Scouts' Trustees. Other experience includes: Chairman of School Governors, budget management, leader training and event organisation. I allowed my name to go forward for this election, as I believe that I have skills to offer but more importantly I am keen to support the key role that LCVYS will have in the future. Lancashire VCFS Consortium Update: LCVYS is represented on the Steering Group of the Lancashire VCFS Consortium representing the Voluntary Youth Service and is also represented on the Workforce and Learning Development and Information and Communications Technology Sub Groups. ChangeUp District Mapping is underway. Lead Agencies appointed are: for Blackburn (UA) - Blackburn with Darwen CVS; for Blackpool (UA) - Lancaster CVS; for Preston - Preston CVS; for West Lancashire, Chorley and South Ribble - West Lancashire CVS; for Lancaster Fylde and Wyre - Lancaster CVS; for Burnley, Pendle, Rossendale, Ribble Valley and Hyndburn - Community Alliance (Burnley and Padiham Ltd.) and, for county wide infrastructure organisations - Community Futures. 3,600 organisations have been contacted to date by the Lead Agencies to take part in District level mapping exercises which will be drawing to a close at the end of this month. If you are concerned that local units haven't been involved contact LCVYS and we will pass the unit details on. County Mapping commences shortly. LCVYS will be mapping Member Organisations who operate at a county wide level. In addition, LCVYS wants to organise focus groups to look at the needs of front line service providers across a representative sample of its membership from around the County, including Blackburn and Blackpool. If you are interested in learning more about this, or perhaps participating, please contact the LCVYS office. Draft reports from both mapping exercises are expected to be completed by mid December 2005 to inform infrastructure investment spending from January through June 2006. Lancashire LSC European Social Fund Project: Lancashire County Council is currently seeking to recruit a full-time project manager to oversee the project from January 2006 through to the end of June 2007. A VCFS launch event is being organised for early in the New Year - more details to follow. For the latest up to date information on the work of the Lancashire VCFS Consortium - visit the website www.vcfs.org.uk CONSULTATION The County Council is proposing to strengthen local democratic decision making in Lancashire. A consultation paper has been put together outlining proposals to introduce new local arrangements to enable locally elected councillors to shape, monitor and take decisions about local government services delivered in their area. New local committees called “Lancashire Locals” will be established in each of Lancashire’s 12 Districts as a vehicle for strengthening local democratic decision making across the County and you are invited to express views on the proposals. Consultation period will run until 20 December 2005. You can write to: Sarah Fisher, Senior Policy Officer, Lancashire County Council, Policy Unit, Christchurch Precinct, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 8XJ. Alternatively you can send your comments by email to sarah.fisher@css.lancscc.gov.uk Visit www.lancashire.gov.uk/corporate/consultation/index.asp CONSULTATION REMINDER Developing a vision and objectives for the relationship between Lancashire County Council and the Voluntary, Community and Faith Sectors (VCFS). We are seeking views from colleagues, partners and other agencies on two draft visions and five objectives which will steer the development of Lancashire County Council’s relationship with the VCFS in Lancashire. We would be grateful for comments on the questionnaire. Responses can be made by individuals, teams or organisations. The Consultation runs to 31st December 2005. Visit www.lancashire.gov.uk/corporate/consultation/indexxasp to complete the application online. If you would like the questionnaire in another format or language, and for more information call Gill Milward on 01772 533381 LOLLY SUBMISSIONS If you would like to submit an article for inclusion in the next edition of the LOLLY, the deadline is Wednesday 11th January. It’s simple to submit an article. Email the item (with a picture if possible) to val@lcvys.org.uk. We are also happy to accept articles by fax or post (contact details are on the front page of this newsletter). The LOLLY is circulated to over 1300 readers in either hard copy or by email. It’s also available on the LCVYS website: www.lcvys.org.uk Details of how to receive a copy of the electronic newsletter, free of charge are on the front page of this newsletter. Alternatively to receive a hard copy at a cost of £15.00 per annum email val@lcvys.org.uk or call 01772 250001. RESOURCES LCVYS is able to support its members by loaning out resources that many organisations simply cannot afford to buy themselves. Through the Transforming Youth Work Development Fund in association with Lancashire County Council Youth & Community Service, Connexions Lancashire and the Local Network Fund we have been able to purchase additional equipment. Available to our member organisations, are: Combined TV and Video player, OHP, Laptops, Thermal Binder, Flip Chart Board, Laminator, Projectors, screens, VCR, Digital Camcorders, Digital Cameras, access to an interactive whiteboard, PA Systems. Within the office a scanner and CD/DVD writer, a colour laser printer, duplex black and white printer. Contact the office on 01772 250001 or visit the website www.lcvys.org and click on resources. MEETING ROOMS AVAILABLE LCVYS has two meeting rooms available for use. Based in the centre of Preston on Guildhall Street, it is an ideal venue for groups, of up to 30 people (large room) or up to 8 (small room), wishing to meet in professional surroundings away from their normal venue. Drinks facilities are available and catering can be arranged. LCVYS also has a range of resources and office facilities available at a cost (free to LCVYS member organisations). The rooms are available during office hours, (weekends and evenings by prior appointment). For rates and availability call 01772 250001 Email: lcvys@lcvys.org.uk BBC BLAST Blast, the BBC’s creative arts project for young people, offers opportunities to explore interests in art, dance, music, film, writing and digital creativity. It encourages young people to develop their ideas, find contacts, showcase their work and become part of a dynamic creative community. The website offers online mentors, live chats with professionals, showcasing of work, competitions and more. Visit www.bbc.co.uk/blast CARDS FOR LIFE These cards, from the National Children’s Bureau, are designed to help youth workers, teachers and parents talk to young people about the issues and problems they face. The pack is made up of 40 scenarios of moral dilemmas that help young people think about the feelings and behaviour of the characters involved, as well as their own responses. The pack also includes 8 blank cards you may use to create your own scenarios and instructions for how to use the cards. Cards for Life can be used with groups of young people or in one-to-one sessions, in education, care and community settings, as well as at home. Call 020 7843 6029 or visit www.ncb-books.org.uk EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES LECTURER/SENIOR LECTURER -WORKING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE & YOUNG PEOPLE'S SERVICES. £24,886 - £37,643 (maximum starting salary £28,850) 12 months fixed term in the first instance Reference: B7066IN Working in the School of Applied Social & Community Studies you will contribute to the delivery and development of our successful Foundation degree - Working with Young People and Young People's Services. You will hold a degree in a relevant subject area, you will have an interest and/or experience in working in this area of provision and ideally, have a teaching qualification. This post offers an exciting opportunity to be part of the development of our provision for those working with children and young people and to be part of a multi-professional team preparing professionals for the challenges of the future. Closing date: 6 Dec 2005 For more details visit www.ljmu.ac.uk/vacancies.asp TUTOR: OUTREACH DEVELOPMENT (0.5fte), Equal ‘Beyond Face Value’ Project Fixed term until 31st March 2007 Lancaster £ 24,352 - £30,363 pro rata This is an exciting opportunity to be part of the North West team working initially in Lancaster and Preston on our ‘Beyond Face Value’ project. The aim of the project is to tackle inequality and disadvantage experienced by members of BME communities in the Lancashire labour market. It will seek to do this by means of a series of innovative interventions designed, on the one hand, to help BME men and women access training and the labour market and, on the other, to help employers move towards best practice on equality and diversity issues. It is being carried out by a ‘Development Partnership’ led by St Martin’s College. You should have experience in developing effective relationships with BME groups, which include recruiting, engaging, supporting, developing and empowering BME men and women. Demonstrate an understanding of equality and diversity issues facing BME communities including those containing British Asians and Muslims, and demonstrate the ability to work in close collaboration with other providers to deliver the outcomes of the development partnership agreement. Informal enquiries on the vacancy call Shehnaz Patel, North West Sub-regional Project Co-ordinator, BCEU, Telephone: 01524 384462 The closing date for this post is noon on 7th Dec 2005. Reference: 83A05 CHANNEL 4’S BIG ART PROJECT It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity - the chance to get involved in the commissioning of a work of art, courtesy of Channel 4. Channel 4's Big Art Project is a two year project that kicks off with a nationwide callout to the public and communities to participate in the commissioning of significant new art in their neighbourhood. 6 communities in total will be selected and one of the communities you know could be the starting point for a new piece of art. For details of how your community might be able to participate go to www.channel4.com/bigart FRANK’S FRESH NEW FOCUS TARGETS VULNERABLE YOUNG PEOPLE FRANK is the national drugs information campaign run by the Home Office, Department of Health and the Department for Education and Skills. Since FRANK’s launch in May 2003, there have been: Over 1 million calls to the helpline; Over 2.4 million visits to the website www.talktofrank.com ; 62,480 emails responded to 34,975 referrals to treatment; Over 5,500 professionals receiving FRANK briefings via www.drugs.gov.uk/frank In addition to the previous audiences of young people and their parents, this year FRANK’s focus turns to targeting vulnerable young people, using an exciting mix of peer-to-peer street marketing and new TV and radio advertising campaigns. The new direction of FRANK is aligned to the young people drug prevention policies outlined in Every Child Matters: Young People and Drugs. FRANK’s focus will also broaden to include open, honest and direct information on all illegal drugs and volatile substance abuse. In addition, 30 local authority areas have been identified as High Focus Areas for additional support in targeting vulnerable groups, based on factors such as local need, and areas of deprivation where crime levels and drugs misuse are prevalent. The FRANK campaign has produced a number of resources, available free of charge to professionals working with young people and parents. These include: A new pack for professionals working with vulnerable young people; FRANK branded information leaflets for parents and young people; An ongoing series of briefings (FRANK Action Updates) on themes such as holidays, students and families. These updates contain a wealth of information and ideas on communicating with young People; Monthly campaign update emails; Access to best practice ideas on www.drugs.gov.uk/frank Can I get involved in this year’s campaign? Sign up on www.drugs.gov.uk/frank as a stakeholder and you’ll get the latest information on campaigns, as well as information on new resources as they become available. You could support local events by coming along to them, or encouraging young people and their parents to log on to the talktofrank.com website. The FRANK helpline is accessible in 120 languages, 24 hours a day, as well as a textphone service for people who are hard of hearing on 0800 917 8765. TOP PR FIRM OFFERS FREE HELP TO CHARITIES A leading public relations agency has launched a scheme, in partnership with the Media Trust, to give small charities free PR advice. PR agency Weber Shandwick has again joined forces with the Media Trust, a charity dedicated to supporting charities with their communications needs, to stage the "Weber Shandwick Charity Challenge in association with the Media Trust". As part of the contest, which is now in its second year, three charities will receive 14 days of free PR support to sustain a campaign of their choice over a six-month period. Any charitable organisation without a dedicated full time communications officer and an annual turnover of less than £2 million is eligible to enter the 2006 Challenge. To enter the contest charities must provide a winning idea for a PR campaign that Weber Shandwick can help to implement. Ideally the campaign should be targeted at a specific audience such as Parliament, the regional media, the public or service users and will have clearly identified and measurable benefits. To get an application form contact the Media Trust on 020 7874 7610 or by clicking on "latest news" on the Media Trust website at www.mediatrust.org Full application criteria for the competition can also be found on the Media Trust website. Closing date for applications is December 16 2005 and a shortlist of 6 charities will be announced on January 13, 2006. The 3 winning charities will be announced in early February. TAKING A STAND AWARDS The Taking a Stand Awards are now in their third year. In 2003 there were over 30 award winners and in partnership with BBC Local Radio, Crime Concern and the Co-op, the 2004 awards received over 600 nominations and awarded 100 heroes. We are hoping for record numbers of nominations this year and aim to award 500 people for taking a stand against anti-social behaviour. Recognising the commitment, energy and courage of local heroes is a key part of the Government's TOGTHER campaign to tackle anti-social behaviour. Celebrating the achievements of local heroes shows that ordinary people can do extraordinary things to improve their neighbourhood. Their stories act as an inspiration to others to turn the fear and intimidation caused by anti-social behaviour into the strength to tackle it. Anti-social behaviour can have a devastating impact on people and the place in which they live, but if more people unite to take action we can make a big change for the better. Make sure your efforts and those of local heroes in your community are recognised. Complete the nomination form for a chance to win £1,000 to spend on improvements to your neighbourhood. If you have taken a stand against anti-social behaviour you can apply, or if you know an individual or group who has made a real difference to the community you can nominate them for an award. Examples of the types of action that could be recognised include: An individual who has inspired residents to tackle problems in their area; A group of residents that have established a litter or graffiti clean-up scheme; A neighbourhood initiative focused on reducing noise problems; or a project that is providing extra security for senior citizens. Or anything else that has supported the community and helped tackle anti-social behaviour. This is your chance to gain recognition yourself or send a big thank you to someone or a group who has made a difference in your neighbourhood or local community. Help them to go on taking a stand by nominating them for an award today. Visit www.takingastand.org/index.asp for more information and to download the nomination form. Make sure we receive your nominations by Friday 13th January 2006. If you need advice on completing the form contact the Taking a Stand helpline on 0800 085 2980 or email: takingastand@crimeconcern.org.uk SCOUTS TO CELEBRATE CENTENARY BY GIVING “100 GIFTS TO LANCASHIRE” The worldwide Scout movement will be 100 years old in 2007. A variety of events are planned throughout the year long celebrations.. One of the themes for the year will be community involvement and to celebrate the Centenary of Scouting, Lancashire Scouts have pledged to complete 100 community projects during the course of the year. Scouts between the ages of 6 and 25 along with their leaders will be taking part in the “100 Gifts to Lancashire” project. Organisations who support health, education, environmental, elderly, disabled, faith and all community groups can apply for help. The idea was the brainchild of Bill Roberts, Scout Leader from Chorley, “Anniversaries are usually times for receiving gifts and we want to turn this on its head and give something back to our communities. This could be the opportunity that a group needs to turn a piece of waste ground into a garden, for a community to have a newsletter written and distributed for a year or for a disabled group to have a weekend camp with local scouts.” Lancashire Scouts would therefore like to invite applications now for potential projects so that arrangements can be in place for the start of 2007. For more details visit www.westlancashirescouts.org.uk / www.eastlancashirescouts.org.uk or to request an application pack contact County Scout Office on 01995 61336/01254 884551. The closing date for applications 31 January 2006 VCS IT INFRASTRUCTURE SURVEY Paul Secular (from do-it.org.uk) and Simon Davey of the preponderate.network are authoring a new piece of research on IT infrastructure within the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) and have created a simple survey, aimed at individual VCS organisations: www.do-it.org.uk/s?s=905 The goal is to get a snapshot of IT infrastructure across the voluntary and community sector and to get an idea of what IT infrastructure is going to be like in 2-3 years' time. The results of this survey will help inform, and lead to better support for, the IT needs of voluntary and community organisations. Once the survey is completed the results will be disseminated and published in the public domain in a free report. The survey takes around 15-20 minutes at the most. If you have any queries please contact Paul Secular via tech.research@do-it.org.uk NEW MUSIC RESOURCE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE SoundJunction Promises Young People a Journey of Musical Discovery More than a hundred top musicians, teachers, students and music professionals, have contributed to SoundJunction, a pioneering new website that gives young people the opportunity to explore, discover and create music. Commissioned by Culture Online, SoundJunction has been developed by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music. The website aims to inspire learning by providing a mix of information, interactive tools and know-how so that anyone can use it to delve deeper into the world of music. www.SoundJunction.org.uk draws on real music made by real musicians and embraces a diverse range of traditions and styles. It is available to users both as a free website and as a CD-ROM 'taster', which will be distributed free of charge to all UK secondary schools this October. YOUNG NCB Do you want to help young people develop and learn new skills? Young NCB is the free membership network for young people aged under 18, hosted by the National Children's Bureau (NCB). Young NCB offers young people the chance to be actively involved in issues that affect and interest them such as safety, sex and relationships education, bullying, drugs and the media. Young NCB's work is guided by its members, and gives children the opportunity to speak out and ensure their opinions and views are heard by other young people, professionals and policy makers. By joining Young NCB, young people will have the chance to: Speak out on issues that affect them, including government policy Develop new skills, including: writing, facilitation and working with the media Take part in events and talkshops on important issues such as bullying, children's rights, the health service and much more Learn about politics and democracy Travel to new places and meet new people All new members receive a joining pack including a membership card and magazine. We would like as many young people as possible to know about the opportunities available to them through Young NCB. Why not tell the young people you work with about the membership network. For more information visit: www.youngncb.org.uk Alternatively if you would like copies of the membership flyer and application form please let us know by telephoning Adriana Byrne, Young NCB on 020 7843 6099 or email: abyrne@ncb.org.uk. National Children's Bureau, 8 Wakley Street, London EC1V 7QE United Kingdom Tel : 020 7843 6000 Fax : 020 7278 9512 Web : www.ncb.org.uk FREE GUIDE TO VOLUNTEERS AND THE LAW Volunteering England has just made available a free 8 page guide to volunteering and the law. It is a useful summary of a complex subject with links to more detailed guidance and advice available from the Volunteering England website. Visit www.volunteering.org.uk for details. EXIT STRATEGY TOOL Economic Development and Regeneration consultants “Rocket Science” have been working with the Government Office for London to develop a new service to help projects funded through grants to manage an effective succession or exit strategy after the funding has been exhausted. The Readiness Assessment Tool focuses on practical forward planning and on developing one of four possible succession routes – mainstreaming, self-standing enterprise, seeking further funding or project closure. www.rocketsciencelab.co.uk or alternatively www.gos.gov.uk/gol/European_funding/?a=42496 CROCUS NOVEL COMPETITION Deadline - 2 Jan 2006 The search is on to find the best new novel from a North West writer, as Crocus Books, the Manchester based publishers, launch their latest competition. Last year's winner, David Evans, praised the competition for helping him achieve a life long ambition. His novel, A Touch of the Sun, a personal and political coming of age novel set in apartheid South Africa, has just been published to much literary acclaim. The competition is open to all writers living in North West England. It costs £15 (waged) or £10 (unwaged) to enter. The closing date for stage one of the competition is 2 January 2006. The winner of the competition will receive £1,000 as part of a publishing deal with Crocus Books. For further details and an entry form please send a stamped addressed envelope to Crocus Novel Competition, Commonword, 6 Mount Street, Manchester M2 5NS. VCS LEARNING LINKS VCS Learning Links is an online directory of voluntary and community sector (VCS) infrastructure organisations and networks that support learning and training. The directory has been set up by the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education with the National Association of Councils for Voluntary Service and voluntary sector training agency the UK Workforce Hub. VCS infrastructure organisations have a number of important roles: providing a voice for the sector; supporting development, capacity building and practice; offering advice; bridging between the VCS and other bodies; supporting networking; and helping organisations to work together. These roles are increasingly important for VCS learning and training and are undertaken by both generic infrastructure organisations and a growing number of specialist bodies. VCS Learning Links covers national, regional, sub-regional and some particularly significant local VCS infrastructure organisations across England. It tells you how to contact them, their aims, main areas of work around learning, key funding sources and relevant local contacts, details of specialist learning and skills posts, and information about useful resources. To remain a useful resource, the directory needs to be as current as possible. Corrections and new information can be included at any time. Additionally, all entries will be reviewed and updated annually, in September. The date of most recent review/updating is given at the end of each entry. Information in the directory is divided into three main sections: National, Regions and Resources. All the information is available in high visibility view and is printer friendly. See the help section for more information about accessibility and technical issues, plus details of how you can help us to improve the directory. Visit www.vcslearninglinks.org.uk A COMMUNITY WORK UNIT CONFERENCE A Black Perspective in Community and Youth Work 2005 10.00 a.m. – 4.15 p.m. on Saturday, 3 December The aim of the Black Perspective in Community and Youth Work conference is to enable black and white community and youth workers to focus on practice with a black perspective. Workshops will provide opportunities for discussion on issues and practice related to: Cultural creativity Rights and responsibilities Drugs and gangs Identity development Peer mediation Refugee awareness Child and adolescent mental health Relationships between white workers and black communities In relation to the above, how do we move forward with a black perspective? Discussions and networking will enable practical strategies to be developed. A conference report with useful tools for practice based on the discussions will be compiled and circulated after the conference. For online booking: www.meeting.co.uk/confercare/cwu2005/ A paper version of the booking form is available. If you have any queries about your booking, please contact ConferCare: Telephone: 0161 306 4068 Fax: 0161 306 4070 Email: mcc.reg@manchester.ac.uk Post: CWU, ConferCare, STARS, Barnes Wallis Building, The University of Manchester, Sackville Street, Manchester, M60 1QD Participants will be able to attend three workshops Conference fee £175. Reduced fee for young people £30. Reduced fee for members of small voluntary organisations £70 The conference will be held at one of the University of Manchester’s conference centres: Chancellors Conference Centre, Chancellors Way, Moseley Road, Fallowfield, Manchester. Tel: 0161 907 7414. An optional informal networking session will be held on the previous evening at the Conference Centre. FREE BANKING WITH A CONSCIENCE FOR COMMUNITY GROUPS AND VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS WITH THE COOPERATIVE BANK Community groups and voluntary organisations can now take advantage of an ethical way to bank for free, thanks to a new partnership between the Community Foundation and the Co-operative Bank. The bank’s Community Directplus account provides a free 24 hour telephone, internet and postal banking service to suit community groups, charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises and help them cut out extra costs such as bank charges. We believe that when you’re working for the community, your valuable funds shouldn’t be swallowed up by avoidable banking charges. With Community Directplus, you and your organisation will: Benefit from free banking Receive interest on credit balances of £2,000 or more Have the freedom to manage your account, online, over the telephone, at the Post Office or by post Enjoy our unique five star promise Have the opportunity to apply for project funding from the Customer Donation Fund Switching is easy. To apply over the phone, call 0800 783 4741 ref 32708, or download an application form today. The Co-operative Bank has a strong commitment to working in partnership with local communities and hopes to contribute to the development and improvement of the community by working with charities and community groups. For more information visit www.communitydirectplus.co.uk BETTER REGULATION The Government is committed to simplifying the regulatory burden on business, the voluntary sector and front line staff, but to do this they need your help. The Government want to receive practical proposals for regulatory simplification from business and other stakeholders. The simplification programme looks at removing regulations, merging regulations into a more manageable form and resolving overlap or inconsistency within or between regulations, including reducing the burden of paperwork and the time taken to deal with information requests. Please look at the guidance before sending your proposals to help us make best use of your ideas. You can make a proposal online or download a template and email us back. Your proposal will be passed on to the relevant government department and receipt of your proposal will be acknowledged by email. Visit www.betterregulation.gov.uk NEW FUTURES, NEW FUNDING: Changes to Funding Adult Learning Friday 2 December 2005 NIACE, Renaissance House, 20 Princess Road West, Leicester LE3 8Qw These are challenging times for adult learning providers dependent on government funding to support learning and skills for those aged 19 to 90. The government wants to stand by its commitments not just to the economic future of the country but to support lifelong learning in challenging times as funding pressures start to pinch. This conference is supported by the Department for Education and Skills and aims to set out the implications for funding for adult learning from 2006 and beyond; put them in context and explore the potential for retaining and improving a broad curriculum for adults against a backcloth of tightening resources and the drive to achieve high quality. Due to the overwhelming response to two previous conferences held in London we are repeating the conference in Leicester on Friday 2 December. The conference is aimed at FE colleges and local authority providers; voluntary and community sector organisations with an interest in government funding and lifelong learning; work based learning suppliers working with adults; organisations and individuals considering future prospects for supplying adult learning or skills; employers; practitioners; policy makers. To reserve a place on-line for conference Ref C13-00 and to view the programme for the day, visit the NIACE website: www.niace.org.uk/conferences/newfutures3.htm Enquiries to: Gurjit Kaur on: 0116 2042833 Email: gurjit.kaur@niace.org.uk CHARITY COMMISSION To improve their services to customers The Charity Commission has changed their previous contact number from a national rate to a local rate. The new number is 0845 3000 218 but calls to the previous number will be automatically redirected. Minicom users can call on 0845 3000 219 With over 200,000 calls to their contact centre each year they hope the new number will make a considerable difference to all their callers. The Essential Trustee: What you need to know (order ref CC3), is the first of their publications to be rewritten in a new clearer format using straightforward language. It explains the duties and responsibilities of charity trusteeship in a straightforward and accessible way, starting with the basics and building up a clear picture of what trustees need to do and to know. Start as you mean to go on (RS10), looks at the issue of recruiting and training trustee boards and the benefits of diversifying trustee recruitment. It also provides best practice examples to help boards give new members the skills and knowledge they need to play a full role and stay committed. Visit www.charitycommission.gov.uk LOCAL NETWORK FUND FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE Do you need between £250 and £7,000? Are you a small community group in East or West Lancashire? Can you organise projects or activities that directly benefit disadvantaged children or young people? If the answer to these questions is yes, then the Local Network Fund for Children and Young People may be able to help. For an application pack telephone 0845 113 0161 The Local Network Fund covers East and West Lancashire and targets children and young people aged 0 – 19 years who are recognised as facing disadvantage. The next deadline for applications is Tuesday 28 February 2006 This fund is currently being directly administered by the Community Foundation for Merseyside, with outreach and support provided by LCVYS. Funding is available to help improve children’s lives in Lancashire, through the Local Network Fund. The Local Network Fund has been set up by the Department of Education to help tackle child poverty. The 4 main themes are: Aspirations and experiences; Economic disadvantage; Isolation and access; Children’s voices The priorities of the Fund are: First time applications, Disadvantaged wards, Minority ethnic groups For help with any aspect of the application procedure please call the LCVYS office on 01772 250001 THE SHEPHERD STREET TRUST Beneficial area: Within 50 miles of Preston, although there is a preference for Preston. Areas of work: Young people under 21 Exclusions: Payment of salaries, financial deficits/debts. The trust advertises in the local newspaper twice a year in May and November. The closing dates for applications are 30 June and 31 December; the meetings to consider grants are in the following September and March respectively. Grants can be made at other times where there is a ‘real need’. Formerly the Shepherd Street Mission and Childrens’ Home, the trust now exists to benefit people under 21 who live within a 50-mile radius of Preston town centre. The trust’s objects are to provide specialist attention and medical equipment, to relieve hardship and distress, to provide educational training and to assist in the provision of facilities for recreation and leisure activities. Visit www.shepherdstreettrust.co.uk FUNDERFINDER Funderfinder is a software programme that assists organisations to source trusts and grant giving organisations that may be able to support them. It is available at the LCVYS office to all member organisations during office hours. To arrange a convenient time contact the office on 01772 250001 alternatively email enquiries@lcvys.org.uk Also available - colour laser printer, mono duplex printer, photocopier, fundraising resources, including software, manuals, cd roms etc, free access to the internet B&Q WASTE DONATION B&Q operates a waste donation scheme through all stores. This scheme allows donation of waste materials, for example slightly damaged tins of paint, off-cuts of timber, odd rolls of wallpaper and end of range materials, to community groups, charities and schools. The waste donation scheme is co-ordinated in store either by the environmental champion, duty or Warehouse manager who will keep a Waste Donation Form on file for interested groups. Before any materials are donated, the form must be signed by a representative of the group. Please note that it is company policy that health and safety is taken into consideration, therefore electrical, petrol and gas items are not available for donation. Any waste or surplus stock donated must not be re-sold. BETTER NEIGHBOUR GRANTS Through the Better Neighbour Grant Scheme, schools, community groups and charitable organisations can apply to their local B&Q store for funding to support a local community project. The B&Q Better Neighbour Grants are available to help get a community project up and running. The scheme provides £50 to £500 (at retail cost) of B&Q materials, for example, pond liners, plants, peat-free compost for projects such as a pond/wildlife garden or paints labelled low or minimal VOC for redecoration projects. Stores can also use the Better Neighbour Grant Scheme as part of their relationship with their recognised local community partners. It is important that the project is sustainable. For example, the materials and methods used should not cause environmental damage in the short or long-term. The final result should have long-lasting benefit to the community. Better Neighbour Grants do not cover maintenance, so the project should be designed for easy care. How to apply for a Better Neighbour Grant To apply for a grant, applicants will need to contact the environmental champion, diversity champion or store manager at their local B&Q store, to discuss project details. A letter, on headed paper, from the organisation is required. This should include details of the organisation and project, materials required, duration of the project and any involvement from the organisation and its aims and benefits. Photographs or plans of the project are optional. The application will be reviewed. If a grant application has been accepted, successful applicants will be informed by telephone, postcard or email. Applicants must then contact the store to arrange a convenient time to collect the goods requested. The project can then commence. Visit www.diy.com/grants TESCO CHARITY TRUST Helps local and national charities as well as voluntary organisations to provide practical support for the children, education, the elderly and people with disabilities. Donations generally range between £1,500 and £5,000. Telephone: 01992 646768 Website: www.tesco.com/corporateinfo/ Address: Tesco Charity Trust, Tesco Stores Ltd, Delamare Road, Cheshunt, EN8 9SL BIG LOTTERY FUND SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY BUILDINGS The Big Lottery Fund has announced plans for £50 million over the next three years for community buildings, such as village halls. Details of who can apply and how to go about doing so will be announced next year. In the mean time go to www.biglotteryfund.org.uk for more details. RUSSELL COMMISSION SMALL GRANTS ROUND Deadline - 2 Dec 2005 A grants round to `fund preparatory work that will lay the foundations for the work of the new Russell Commission Implementation Body`, which will work to increase youth volunteering in England, is now open. It will fund projects in two key areas, Developing volunteer involving strategies – encouraging organisations to develop their volunteering strategies for 16-25 year olds, so that they can increase the number of opportunities for young people from groups that are under represented in volunteering activity Best practice examples – encouraging existing volunteer-involving organisations to build the evidence base on how to reach new groups of young volunteers, particular black and minority ethnic groups, disabled people, faith groups and those without qualifications. This grant round is focused on three broad aims: - To add to the knowledge base of what works in involving young volunteers. To influence the early development of the new Russell Commission Implementation body’s delivery plan. To enable voluntary organisations to take steps to gear up to contribute to the delivery of the Russell Commission recommendations. Please note that this grant round is not designed to fund volunteering opportunities for young people. This will be the role of the new Russell Commission Implementation Body, which will be formally launched in spring 2006. Organisations wishing to apply to this grant round should download the guidance notes and application forms from the website. Please ensure that you read the grant criteria and guidance notes fully before completing an application form. If after reading the guidance notes you have any further questions about the grants round please email info@grantsadmin.co.uk or call the grants helpline on 0845 603 1869. The deadline for application is 2nd December and the one-off grant should be spent or committed by April 2006. Visit www.russellcommission.org/smallgrants/index.html. HARVEST TRUST HOLIDAYS FOR CHILDREN 2006 Do you know of 12 children who really need a holiday? Harvest Trust is a national UK charity which provides free seaside holidays for disadvantaged children which are held at the Trust’s holiday centre in west Wales and are available for groups of 12 children between the ages of eight and eleven. The week long holidays take place between April and September and are organised in partnership with schools, community groups or childcare organisations. Since 1986, Harvest Trust has developed a unique and effective seaside holiday experience for children living in severely disadvantaged circumstances. Children from dismal housing estates hit by unemployment, poverty and crime. Bereaved children. Young carers. Abused and neglected children. The Trust provides all accommodation, transport and admissions free of charge. Your organisation only needs to buy food and provide 3 adult workers to accompany the children. Applications are invited for 2006 and should be received by the end of January 2006 For more information contact the Harvest Trust on 01559 371190 Email: office@harvesttrust.com Website: www.harvesttrust.com SITA TRUST’S ENHANCING COMMUNITIES PROGRAMME SITA Trust has provided funding for community improvement projects since 1997. The types of project that can be supported include improvement to community facilities, the repair/restoration of historic and religious buildings and the provision of play and recreation facilities. Your project may be eligible for funding if you are an environmental organisation, voluntary organisation, charity or community group and: The project is within ten miles of an active landfill site owned by the waste management company, SITA UK Your organisation is non profit making You are applying for a project that will improve community life on a local or regional level If you are applying to restore or repair a religious historic building your project must be within 3 miles of a landfill site owned by SITA UK Deadlines for applications are: 20 December 2005 for the board meeting on 14 March 2006 21 March 2006 for the board meeting on 13 June 2006 18 June 2006 for the board meeting on 19 September 2006 12 September 2006 for the board meeting on 12 December 2006 For more details about the SITA Trust’s Enhancing Communities Programme write to: SITA Trust, The Barn, Brinkmarsh Lane, Falfield, South Gloucestershire, GL12 8PT Tel: 01454 262910 Fax: 01454 269090 Email: sita.trust@sita.co.uk Alternatively visit the website www.sitatrust.org.uk FAITH COMMUNITIES CAPACITY BUILDING FUND Deadline Approaching - 2nd December 2005 A fund has been launched as part of the Government's 'Improving Opportunity and Strengthening Society' strategy. The fund will support the Government's aim to help faith communities promote understanding and dialogue. Large and small grants are available. Applicants will need to submit proposals that demonstrate successful delivery of the key priorities for the fund, it is expected that the majority of large grants will be up to £50,000, although applications for larger grants will be considered. Small grants will be up to £5,000. All funding must be spent by 31 March 2007. For more information contact Community Development Foundation, The Michael Young Centre, Purbeck Road, Cambridge, CV2 2HN Tel: 01223 400341 Fax: 01223 400328 Email: fundingadmin@cdf.org.uk Website: www.cdf.org.uk COMIC RELIEF Comic Relief operates 3 grants funds for work within the UK. Each of the Comic Relief grant funds have different criteria and different application processes and deadlines. Red Nose Day programmes 2005 – 08 Awards some of the money raised from Red Nose Day. During 2005-08 we are concentrating our funding on 6 programme areas: Disadvantaged Communities, Young people, Older People, Mental Health, Refugees & Asylum Seekers, Domestic Violence Sport Relief 2004 – 06 Money raised from Sport Relief '04 is being distributed in 2 ways: Grants using sport to help reduce tensions and conflicts between young people; Small grants which increase access to sport and leisure activities for those people who often miss out. Visit www.comicrelief.com THE WOODWARD CHARITABLE TRUST The Trustees favour small-scale, locally based initiatives. Funding is primarily for one-off projects, but the Trustees are willing to consider funding for core costs. The Trustees operate a reactive and flexible grant making strategy, giving priority to causes which seem unpopular with public opinion and/or other funders. Funding Priorities 1. Social and ethnic minority groups, including young people at risk of exclusion, refugees, asylum seekers and travellers 2. Prisons, with particular emphasis on post-release help and on families of offenders and ex-offenders 3. Addiction, including projects tackling the social exclusion elements and preventative programmes 4. Homelessness, especially affecting young people and women, and covering facilities such as women's refuges 5. People experiencing domestic violence. Trustees may also consider 6. Arts outreach work by local groups, particularly in fields that do not attract funding from other Sainsbury Family Charitable Trusts 7. Disability projects 8. Environmental projects, especially with a strong education element, provided they are distinctive and not merely a part of current fashion. Types of grants Larger grants, £5,000 plus (around 10 grants made per year, usually to projects within areas 1-5 above and spread over a number of years) Smaller grants, £100-£5,000 (around 20-30 grants made per year to projects within areas 1-7 above on a one-off basis) Children's summer play scheme grants £500-£2,000 (usually about 10-15 grants made each year on a one-off basis) Exclusions - Charities whose annual turnover exceeds £250,000, Construction projects such as playgrounds, village halls, and disabled accesses, General school appeals including out of hours provision, Hospices, Medical research, Overseas projects, Parish facilities, Playgroups, Requests for vehicles, Small grants to large projects Trustees will definitely not support - Individuals in any capacity, Educational fees Trustees review general applications twice a year, usually in January and July with the exception of summer scheme applications, which are considered in May. Trustees will only consider appeals made on their own application form. The application form is available by post, email (contact@woodwardcharitabletrust.org.uk) or from the website (see the main menu for the Application form section). Annual report & accounts and project budgets must be submitted with all applications whether they are via the website, email or post. The application form should be completed without exceeding one page. If supplementary information is sent this should be separate from the information requested by the Trustees on their form. Potential applicants are encouraged to telephone the administrator, Karin Hooper, on 020 7410 0330 to discuss their work if they think it might meet the Trustees' criteria. Trustees are keen to spare charities the wasted time involved in applying when there is no prospect of success. www.woodwardcharitabletrust.org.uk DISCLAIMER While LCVYS and its Members use their best efforts in collecting and preparing the information published herein, LCVYS hereby disclaims any liability for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions resulted from negligence or other causes. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, LCVYS does not in any way vouch for the information supplied by Members about their organisations, or for the quality of their youth work. LCVYS reserves the right to edit. Please notify us about any perceived errors or omissions.